Intraoral 3d Scanner with Fluid Segmentation

1. A method for imaging a tooth surface, the method executed at least in part on a computer, comprising: directing an excitation signal toward the tooth from a scan head; obtaining a depth-resolved response signal emanating from the tooth, wherein the response signal encodes tooth surface structure information; segmenting liquid and tooth surface from the depth-resolved response signal; adjusting the tooth surface structure information using the refractive index of the segmented liquid; reconstructing a 3D image of the tooth according to the depth-resolved response signal and the adjusted tooth surface structure information; and displaying, storing, or transmitting the 3D image content.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the excitation signal is a broadband light signal.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the excitation signal is a pulsed or modulated laser source.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the excitation signal is an acoustic signal.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the depth-resolved response signal is an acoustic signal.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein reconstructing the 3D image of the tooth comprises generating an optical coherence tomography image.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein adjusting the tooth surface includes performing geometric calibration.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising rendering of the reconstructed 3D image.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the depth-resolved response signal is 1D data or a 2D or 3D image.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the scan head is hand-held or fixed inside the mouth.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the fluid is water, saliva, or blood.

12. A method for imaging a tooth surface, the method executed at least in part on a computer, comprising: directing an excitation light or acoustic signal toward the tooth from a scan head; obtaining an acoustic response signal from the tooth in response to the excitation light or acoustic signal, wherein the acoustic response signal encodes tooth surface structure information; segmenting liquid and tooth surface from the acoustic response signal; adjusting the tooth surface structure information based at least in part on the refractive index of the segmented liquid; reconstructing a 3D image of the tooth according to the acoustic response signal and the adjusted tooth surface structure information; and displaying, storing, or transmitting a portion of the reconstructed 3D image.

13. An apparatus for imaging a tooth surface comprising: a signal generator that is configured to generate an optical or acoustic signal; a probe that is configured to scan the generated signal to the tooth for imaging and to sense a feedback depth-resolved signal from the tooth; a control logic processor that is programmed with stored instructions that control the signal generator, acquire the sensed feedback signal from the tooth, generate depth-resolved data from the acquired feedback signal, segment intraoral fluid and tooth surface from the generated depth-resolved data, adjust the segmented tooth surface data using the refractive index of the intraoral fluid, and form a 3D image of the tooth surface; and a display in signal communication with the control logic processor.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the probe generates an optical signal and senses a feedback acoustic signal.